No Surfers = No Aussie Vineyards $$$

[Rex Monaco]

I've seen the arguments about why F1 won't come to LB. But why not?

F1 tickets would cost much more than IRL tickets, maybe even twice as much. And the best stands would be sold out days after being made available.

Other than Montreal, this would be the only opportunity for North American race fans to see an F1 event. So there would be much more out of town interest for this race than for the IRL event.

And though I may be slightly biased on this, there is no argument that Southern California is a much better tourist destination than Indianapolis.

The local entertainment crowd would definitely be drawn to a European racing series, even if most of them wouldn't know the difference between turbo-charged or normally aspriated.

The Europeans would not only be able to find a suitable place for a good meal in town, there would be some very good parties thrown on their behalf as well.

Nearly 1/2 of all the Ferrari's sold in the US, would be paying a $100.00+ to park in downtown Long Beach.

The fish bowl would likely be filled with mega yachts from as far away as Seattle, Washington and those fees could easily be raised by the city to accomodate them.

And Toyota sponsors the race and they actually race in Formula One.

And the ABC TV ratings (any other channel would be a huge mistake) could very likely surpass the Daytona 500. Something that not even the Indy 500 will be doing anytime soon.

It's really a no brainer for the organizer and the city.

The International exposure for the largest port city in the United States, would be priceless.

[Rex Monaco]

Oh, and then the IRL could then add Fontana and the local fans would be able to see them in their prefered environment as well.

[mike15]

Indy is the only race that TG needs to bend over backwards to save. If a team is a one trick pony depending on a race that's not even staged in this country so be it.

I'd hate to see the team fold. But the race just isn't that important in the scheme of things.

You just stated the problem with the ICS.
Indy is the only race that matters.

[DBell]

$$$ Pure and simple. There is no way a promoter could break even, much less make a dime, paying Bernie's prices. And that's at any price you care to charge for tickets (that anyone would pay). Oh, and where are you gonna build the required pit garages? It's a non starter. Ain't going to happen.

A couple of years ago when I lived in OC, I remember an article where the guy that runs LB said they would have to charge around $400.00 a ticket to maybe break even if F1 raced there. And that was at the rate TG was thought to be paying at that time , not the current asking price.

[garyshell]

The International exposure for the largest port city in the United States, would be priceless.

Priceless? Yeah, right. Have you seen the prices that Bernie charges as a santioning fee? Priceless? Have you seen the sorts of infrastructure demands that F1 makes trackside? Priceless?

Pass the bowl bud, I want some of what you're smokin'. mokin:

Gary

[garyshell]

You just stated the problem with the ICS.
Indy is the only race that matters.

It is the only one that matters to Madison Ave. That has ALWAYS been the case, even before the split, dating back to when sponsor money became the driving force with the teams. And as long as Madison Ave. feels that way it is the only race that MUST remain on the schedule. All other races are, in effect, expendable. The promoters all know this and have for a very long time.

Gary

[Rex Monaco]

Oh, and where are you gonna build the required pit garages?

That's the easy part. Eliminate Rainbow Lagoon Park. Only the homeless and the tourists use it. The downtown Long Beach locals prefer Shoreline Park.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...,0.022659&z=16

[Rex Monaco]

Have you seen the prices that Bernie charges as a santioning fee?

Have you seen how many containers leave the Port of Long Beach? Which is the nations second busiest port. The first being it's next door neighbor, The Port of Los Angeles.

If there is no race in Long Beach, it won't be because Indianaoplis, Indiana has more money than Long Beach, Califonia.

[Rex Monaco]

There is no way a promoter could break even, much less make a dime, paying Bernie's prices.

Where there is a will, there is always a way.

Panasonic's US headquarter is in Long Beach, and they are a sponsor on Toyota's F1 car.

Epson also has their US headquarters in Long Beach, and they are involved in sponsoring motorsports.

And Toyota is a few exits down the freeway. The sponsor the race and they have an F1 team.

And the US is still Ferrari's largest market, with Southern California being the at the top.

It's the promoters job to get these people signed as sponsors of the race and/or lobby Bernie.

[downtowndeco]

It is the only one that matters to Madison Ave. That has ALWAYS been the case, even before the split, dating back to when sponsor money became the driving force with the teams. And as long as Madison Ave. feels that way it is the only race that MUST remain on the schedule. All other races are, in effect, expendable. The promoters all know this and have for a very long time.

Gary

I was going to reply to Mike15 but you said it so much better. Thanks.